Detectives said a man accused of abusing his
grandmother admitted to slipping drugs into her food to make her sleep while he
would smoke crystal meth in her attic.

The St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Office reported Todd
Richard, 34, of Arnaudville, is charged with cruelty to the infirmed,
exploitation of the infirmed and distribution of Schedule II drugs.

Deputies said they began investigating the case after
receiving an anonymous tip the 78-year-old woman was being abused by her
grandson.

According to reports, the victim told investigators she
had given Richard $7,000 since January to pay her bills. After her water was
turned off for over three weeks, she discovered her bills were not being paid.

Detectives said they questioned Richard and he
confessed to putting narcotics in her food and smoking meth in her attic.

"Unfortunately, no one is immune to abuse, not even our
elders," Capt. Megan Vizena, spokesperson for SLPSO, said in a written release.
"They are usually our most vulnerable victims and depend on others to meet
their most basic needs. If you notice changes in a senior's personality or
behavior, you should start to question what is going on. Remember, it is not
your role to verify that abuse is occurring, only to alert us of your suspicions."

Richard remained in the St. Landry Parish Jail as of
Monday morning. Bond has not been set.